Wild Pug bar on Broadway north of Lawrence in Chicago.

Just a note from some of us who attended the Wild Pug’s first “Gaysian” night. DJ Oskar presented a public face for an event that was supported by advertising in the local, gay magazines and staffed by Asian bartenders and go-go boys. It seemed that at least half of the crowd (35 out of 60 or so?) were Asian men of varying ages, tending to be in their 20s and 30s. Many of them came as groups, already knowing each other. Oskar said he had also invited his following, which certainly aided in the overall success of the night.

AFC Board members are discussing our group’s continuing role with the event. The current view is that it’s an opportunity to outreach and expand membership and that any establishment interested in supporting the positive, sexual image of gay, Asian men should be validated. While we are sensitive to the fact that an Asian-themed night, especially one that does use feminine images in its advertising might be suspect, our initial view of the evening and the club’s approach is that it presents a respectful outreach to an underserved audience. The imagery on the ads also portray a strong, masculine, Asian man–which balances the diversity of our demographic.

At this point, the Board members present at the first of what will be a monthly event (the last Thursday of every month), support the work of Wild Pug, 4810 N. Broadway in Chicago, and hope you all take advantage of their imaginative drink specials and of course, DJ Oskar’s lively mix of old and new school.

Angel will be at Wilde Pug (4810 N. Broadway) at their new Asian-themed evening from 9:30 p.m. until 10:30 p.m tomorrow, Jan. 29. He’ll be accepting CNY checks or money at that time. The same for AFC’s monthly Dim Sum this Sunday, Feb. 1 at Furama, 4936 N. Broadway at 12:30 p.m.

Otherwise, if you act today, you can still pay the presale rate via PayPal on AFC’s Web site www.afchicago.org or mail Asians and Friends Chicago a check to P.O. Box A 3916, Chicago, IL 60690-3916. If it’s postmarked today (or tomorrow), it’ll be fine. Thanks and see you all soon!

AFC Board of Directors

Asians and Friends interviews film director Toby Ross on Moon Over Hong Kong

About 20 AFC members attended the premiere last Saturday (1/10/09) and enjoyed the trademark humor that Ross weaves into his films. As an added bonus, Ross and the lead “spy”/actor from the film, Johnny Carvajal, will be joining AFC for our Chinese New Year’s dinner (see entry below) on Sat. Feb. 7. Ross will have copies of the DVD on hand for a special AFC price, with a portion of the proceeds going to Asians and Friends!

Kevin, Angel, Dat and Harry at the Chicago premiere.

Chinese New Year’s Dinner 2009 – Year of the Ox. Join Asians and Friends Chicago members for our annual gathering on Saturday, February 7, 2009 at the Phoenix Restaurant, 2131 South Archer Avenue in Chicago. Start time, 7 p.m.; dinner served at 7:30 p.m. With a scenic view of the Chicago skyline, the evening will include a Chinese dragon dance, the retelling of the tale of the Ox, a traditional multi-course dinner and an appearance by actors in Hornbill Productions’ “Moon Over Hong Kong.” This year, we ask members to bring memorabilia from years past, as we will begin preparations to celebrate AFC’s 25^th anniversary year at our Chinese New Year’s celebration in 2010. All photos, newsletters and other pieces will be labeled and carefully stored so that a commemorative media piece can be developed.

Tickets are $40 presale until January 28, 2009 or $45 at the door. Soda and tea included; Cash bar. To attend this year’s dinner, you must RSVP by January 28, 2009 by leaving a message on our hotline (312) 409-1573—even if you wish to pay at the door. To secure your seat, you must either pay by PayPal via our Web site www.afchicago.org or mail a check by January 28, 2009 to Asians and Friends Chicago, P.O. Box A-3916, Chicago, IL   60690-3916. We cannot guarantee your seat if we do not receive your payment. Thanks and see you all for a wonderful 2009 gathering!

Come see the movie debut of four AFC members–Angel, Dat, Harry and Kevin–in the Hornbill Productions’ gay-themed thriller movie, “Moon Over Hong Kong” at the Portage Theater, 4050 N. Milwaukee north of Irving Park in Chicago. Sat. January 10, 2009 at 8 p.m. No fee. Only one showing. You are invited as AFC guests. For more information, leave your name and number on our AFC Hotline: (312) 409-1573 by January 5.

Today (11/30) is the last day to confirm your presale rate with AFC for our annual Holiday Dinner, Sat. Dec. 13 at Riques, 5004 N. Sheridan just south of Big Chicks in Chicago. 7 p.m. Call our hotline: (312) 409-1573. After today, tickets go from $30 to $35.

Today, we also unveil the next ornament to be raffled off: “Penis-simo” by AFC Board Pres. Angel Abcede. “It’s the joy of the soft before the hard,” he says. “Penis-simo can mean many things. Like, gone are the days of over-indulgence and welcome in the era of portion control.”

AFC also encourages pre-payment, either by PayPal via www.afchicago.org or mailing a check payable to Asians and Friends Chicago, P.O. Box A-3916, Chicago, IL  60690-3916. Mail by Dec. 7 to ensure our receipt of the payment. Happiest of holidays and see you all soon!

Here we go! The unveiling of the next handmade ornament to be raffled off at our Sat. Dec. 13 Holiday Dinner at Riques, 5004 N. Sheridan in Chicago. It’s called “We Have Energy!” and it’s made by AFC Board member Harry Chan. “The focus for the future will be ‘going green’ and I believe we have the resources to switch to alternative energies,” he says. “We just have to commit to the change.”

You can now purchase presale tickets to the dinner on the AFC Web site www.afchicago.org. After Nov. 30, tickets go from $30 to $35. AFC has the private back room and will start the festivities at 7 p.m. Call to RSVP (312) 409-1573. Leave a name, phone number and number of people coming to secure your presale rate.

We’ll be meeting at Spin at 6 p.m. to make sure we’re all signed up for the Halloween parade. Details below. But if you don’t want to march, join us then as well because we don’t know just where we’re going to end up in terms of a big contest later in the evening. Thanks!

North Halsted Street Halloween Parade